Religious Education:

Scripture at the Heart of Our Learning

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” — Psalm 119:105

Sacred Scripture lies at the heart of Religious Education at Sacred Heart.

Throughout every branch, children encounter carefully selected passages from the Bible. They learn to listen attentively to the Word of God, explore what Scripture reveals about God and humanity and make connections between different passages and their learning.

As children progress through school, they develop an increasingly rich understanding of Scripture and become more confident in using it to explain and explore Catholic belief.

Building Knowledge from Nursery to Year 6

Our Religious Education curriculum is carefully sequenced so that children's knowledge and understanding build over time.

From their earliest experiences in Nursery and Reception through to the end of Year 6, children revisit important concepts, Scripture, vocabulary and Catholic teaching with increasing depth.

Teachers make purposeful links to previous learning so that children are able to connect new knowledge with what they already know and gradually develop a deeper understanding of the story of salvation and the Catholic faith.

What Does RE Look Like at Sacred Heart?

Our Religious Education lessons are places of wonder, questioning, discussion, reflection and discovery.

Children have opportunities to:

• encounter and explore Sacred Scripture
• develop and use religious vocabulary
• retrieve and connect previous learning
• explore Catholic beliefs and teachings
• encounter religious art, music, symbols and artefacts
• discuss theological questions
• explain and justify their thinking
• make connections between Scripture and Catholic teaching
• reflect upon what they have discovered
• respond through writing, discussion, art, drama and other creative approaches

We have high expectations of Religious Education and value the work children produce as an expression of their growing knowledge, understanding and faith.

Assessment in Religious Education

Assessment is an important part of teaching and learning in Religious Education.

Teachers assess children's knowledge and understanding through questioning, discussion, observation, written work and children's responses throughout lessons.

At the end of each branch, children have opportunities to demonstrate what they know, understand, discern and can respond to.

Children are also encouraged to reflect upon their own learning and recognise the progress they have made.

Assessment helps teachers to celebrate children's achievements, identify misconceptions and determine the next steps needed to ensure that every child continues to make progress.

Dialogue and Encounter

“Love one another as I have loved you.” — John 15:12

Through Dialogue and Encounter, children develop an understanding of the beliefs and practices of people from different Christian traditions, religions and worldviews.

Our children are encouraged to approach others with curiosity, respect and love.

They learn to recognise what we share with others while also developing an understanding and appreciation of difference.

Through meaningful encounter and dialogue, we want our children to become confident young people who can listen respectfully, ask thoughtful questions and work alongside others for the common good.

Religious Education Beyond the Classroom

Religious Education at Sacred Heart does not begin and end with an RE lesson.

Our children's growing understanding of faith is enriched through the wider Catholic life of our school, including:

Mass and the Sacraments • Prayer and Liturgy • Stay and Pray • our parish community • Catholic Social Teaching • charitable action • Scripture • the liturgical year • retreats and celebrations • opportunities for service • links with families and our wider community

Together, these experiences help our children recognise that faith is not simply something that we learn about.

It is something that we are called to live.